Holy Snow & Ice! Road Transgressions thread. - Page 19 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bossy22 · 12-11-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevman

From post #199

Ok, so the budget is $23 per capita and doubling would be ~$2/month per capita. However, taxes aren't per capita. How many tax payers are in this city? Assuming a family of 4, would you pay ~$100 a year to double the snow plowing budget? Better yet would you pay ~$160 a year to get it to the level of Edmonton's snow removal budget? (Edmonton being chosen because it was referenced a few posts up) I know the 5-10 minutes that I've lost in traffic this winter as a direct result of bad roads certainly isn't worth $160! (I'm aware I'm also in the minority when it comes to road use...)

Maybe we can get a poll? How much would you pay for Snow Removal? 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, etc... Obviously a thread for people to complain about snow removal is going to make it appear that everyone but the city wants more plows. A simple poll might show all of the lurkers that quite honestly just don't care!

Ahhh, gotcha. That makes alot more sense than my elementary figures. So, I guess, for me, I'd pay the $100-160/yr, but at that rate I can understand people not wanting to. I have to drive from the outskirts. I can't imagine that someone who lives inner city and works downtown would want to pay more for taxes for street cleaning and nor should they.

Byrns · 12-11-2009, 04:19 PM

We should find a way to tax the people living outside Calgary for the roads clean-up.

shermanator · 12-11-2009, 04:48 PM

Snow removal is a microcosm of the conversative native of this city's population. Of course I'm making some broad, sweeping generalizations here but:

- People want more snowplows on the roads, but don't want taxes raised.
- People want more C-Train lines / better train service, but don't want to pay more for their monthly pass.
- People demand new schools / fire stations / police etc, but don't want taxes raised.

Unfortunately, the fact that city is growing so fast, it puts a huge strain on our infrastructure. Snow removal is just one of the services the City provides that, as we expand our footprint, is needing a huge upgrade. 14000 kms of road aren't going to get plowed and sanded in an hour with only 36 sanders and 54 graders. Not to mention, the people who operate these trucks aren't going to work all hours of the night for minimum wage...

It is also important to note that raising taxes at an inflationary rate, 3% or whatever, is just to keep up with the pace of inflation. This doesn't bring more money to the city, it just keeps pace with the rising cost of salaries, construction, etc.

And now I've forgotten the point I'm trying to make.

RW99 · 12-11-2009, 10:41 PM

I didn't see it anywhere else, but in the Metro there's an article on the front page about having insurance companies help pay for plowing the streets. The theory is that if insurance companies help pay to plow more streets faster, there will be less accidents. No increased taxes, no increased premiums. A little bit nutty, but it would never work as there is way too many variables.

Methanolic · 12-11-2009, 10:57 PM

HA!

Cindy McTaggart has just begun Auditing "The City"...Found out that:

Major construction projects are NOT! being put out to Tender!

Rules are not being adheared to!

Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are sitting in "Dead" Reserves.

The Cheif "Bean Counter" has no idea where the $ is going.

A multitude of spending that has "No Paper Trails".

Go Get Em' Cindy!

What She's uncovered thus far would surely indicate a few City officials getting canned or maybe even arrested!

The Corruption of our current City Council is begining to become very clear.

shermanator · 12-23-2009, 02:05 PM

Thought this was the best place to post this. One alderman wants to fine drivers who cause a crash if they are not using winter tires.

Quote:

Cause a crash or clog traffic, and police will examine your tires -- if they aren't winter treads, you'll be fined around $70, if the German formula is followed.

I think this is not a half bad idea. Thoughts?

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/colum...49211-sun.html

Sliver · 12-23-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

Thought this was the best place to post this. One alderman wants to fine drivers who cause a crash if they are not using winter tires.

I think this is not a half bad idea. Thoughts?

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/colum...49211-sun.html

I didn't read the article, but based on your summation I think it's a good idea.

FlamesKickAss · 12-23-2009, 02:09 PM

isnt this basically forcing people to get winter tires though even though its a round about way of doing it?

Hemi-Cuda · 12-23-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

isnt this basically forcing people to get winter tires though even though its a round about way of doing it?

yes, and it's an excellent idea. i get so sick and tired of my commute being extended everyday because of another idiot stuck in the ditch and a towtruck has to block part of a lane on the highway to get them out. and guaranteed at least 90% of all those idiots have all-season tires on their SUV's (those are usually the only ones i see in the ditch) thinking "well it's a 4x4, i don't need winter tires"

i've had my Mazda 3 for over 4 years now and not once have i been stuck in winter with my Nokian tires. it boggles my mind how many people can fly off the road on Highway 1 towards Chestermere and end up in the ditch. it's a straight ****ing line for christ sake

burn_this_city · 12-23-2009, 02:41 PM

Snow tires arent going to save the people who are just plain bad drivers.

shermanator · 12-23-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Snow tires arent going to save the people who are just plain bad drivers.

And unfortunately these people drive all year round.

Hemi-Cuda · 12-23-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Snow tires arent going to save the people who are just plain bad drivers.

but they could be the difference between a fender bender and a write off

albertGQ · 12-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Didn't Quebec do something similar last year?

If you get in an accident during the winter there and do not have snow tires, you are deemed at fault?

Anyone want to confirm this?

Shazam · 12-23-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Didn't Quebec do something similar last year?

If you get in an accident during the winter there and do not have snow tires, you are deemed at fault?

Anyone want to confirm this?

You're not even allowed to operate a vehicle without winter tires, according to this:

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...sp?techid=125&

Dion · 12-23-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

Thought this was the best place to post this. One alderman wants to fine drivers who cause a crash if they are not using winter tires.

I think this is not a half bad idea. Thoughts?

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/colum...49211-sun.html

She shouldn't stop there....

What about people who don't drive for the conditions?

Finny61 · 12-23-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

She shouldn't stop there....

What about people who don't drive for the conditions?

Exactly my issue with enforcing winter tires, then drivers figure they are suited for the conditions no matter how bad it is outside. Black ice? Well I got snow tires that means I could sustain 80km/h easily...

Does nothing to remove drivers who just have no talent on a set of four wheels.

That alderman probably owns a couple of Kal Tires on the side for extra income.

4X4 · 12-23-2009, 06:18 PM

I think it's a good idea. Sorry to sound heartless, but I don't really care what your plight is. If you can't afford decent tires, you shouldn't be driving when there's ice and snow on the roads. Take the bus. I don't need the aggrivation of being stuck behind you while you go 4kph because your stupid car is slipping and sliding. I also don't need to be stuck in a traffic jam caused by some cheap ass that didn't spring for tires and then crashed. And what I really don't need is to get hit by someone whose car couldn't stop in a slippery situation.

AFAIC, driving an unsafe vehicle is no better than driving drunk. You're not just a danger to yourself, you're a danger to everyone on the road.

jar_e · 12-23-2009, 08:19 PM

Prepare for taxes to soar again if they implement the mandatory winter tire plan...it should be noted that the majority of emergency vehicles inside the city do not use winter tires and that they would all have to be retrofitted according to this proposal...

Shazam · 12-23-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

isnt this basically forcing people to get winter tires though even though its a round about way of doing it?

There is a price premium for living in our mostly-winter climate. From our heating bills, to our horribly expensive food prices, to needing to buy sweaters, coats, mitts, long underwear, etc. Winter tires are just another expense.

FurnaceFace · 12-23-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

There is a price premium for living in our mostly-winter climate. From our heating bills, to our horribly expensive food prices, to needing to buy sweaters, coats, mitts, long underwear, etc. Winter tires are just another expense.

Interesting perspective, I hadn't thought of it like that. The flip side is in a hot climate you have AC costs and the expense to your eyes of seeing fat guys in speedos.